The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that about one in six Americans gets sick from consuming contaminated food each year. That's about 48 million people!
Most of these foodborne illnesses are caused by bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, often found in raw meat and poultry. So, what can you do to protect yourself and your employees from these dangerous bacteria? The answer is proper food safety handling procedures.
Keep reading to learn how to handle raw meats in your food processing company safely. We'll also share some tips on preventing cross-contamination.
Training Is Essential
The proper training and support systems can help you implement safe food handling practices. This will ensure you remain compliant with food safety legislation and protect the public from foodborne illness. It will also help you maintain high standards and avoid bad feelings among your staff.
There are many training activities you can incorporate into your food processing company. One of the most important is training your employees on handling raw meat properly. This will help to prevent cross-contamination and the resulting foodborne illness. Moreover, your employees will gain essential skills they can use in the future.
Analytical Testing Is Your First Line of Defense
Whether you are handling raw meat in your food processing facility or are responsible for the safety of the food served in your restaurant, an analytical testing program is your first line of defense against pathogens. Analytical testing uses food chemistry to analyze raw and processed meat. The results of the tests can be used to develop preventive controls, which food processors can apply to ensure the optimal safety of meat products.
Raw meat processing is a regulated industry that requires special knowledge, expertise, and coordination. Processors must maintain meticulous records of the animal's health and hygiene and protect their water and feedstock sources. In addition, they must ensure that their processing plants are regularly audited. This ensures that the plant is operating in accordance with food safety regulations.
Protect the Integrity of the Trailer Seal
Keeping the trailer seal intact during the transportation of raw meats is a critical element of food safety. Perishable products like meats have many moving parts, and you want to ensure that each one is adequately monitored and cared for. This includes keeping the proper temperature and minimizing the risks of cross-contamination.
The most obvious safety measure is to place a guard inside the trailer door to prevent the door from opening. Another important measure is to affix a seal to the door. The shipper may provide these, or the driver may opt to affix them.
In addition to keeping the seal in place, it is also a good idea to ensure the door is locked. This may mean using a padlock on the trailer or simply locking the door against the wall.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Taking measures to avoid cross-contamination is a crucial factor in preventing foodborne illness. The USDA recommends three simple ways to avoid illness when preparing meat. These steps include:
- Washing your hands
- Separating foods
- Properly disposing of used equipment
The bacteria that cause food poisoning can be transferred from raw meat to other foods. This can be caused by direct contact or even through storage.
Handle Raw Meats Properly
It is important to handle raw meats safely in your food processing company. There are a variety of dangers associated with mishandling raw meats, so it is important to be aware of proper food handling procedures.
At Cenza+, we offer a variety of online food handling training courses that can help your company ensure the safety of your employees and your product. Click here to check them out!